The African National Congress (ANC) has announced the passing away of struggle icon, Mama Lillian Diedericks. She passed away at the age of 96 on Tuesday morning.

Diedericks was the founder of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and 1956 Women’s March leader.

In the 1950s, Diedericks became politically active through her involvement in the powerful labour movement, particularly with the Food and Canning Workers’ Union.

This was confirmed to Independent Media by ANC Nelson Mandela Bay regional chairperson Babalwa Lobishe.

The cause of her death has not been confirmed, but Lobishe said she passed away peacefully at her home in Gelvandale on Tuesday afternoon.

“Her death is a great loss for our province and country. Mama Diedericks was one of the people I went to for advice on many issues. She used to be very particular on who she allowed close to her. She often raised concerns about how we are going to stabilise the region, but showed confidence in us,” Lobishe said.

She further conveyed her condolences to the family and friends of Diedericks.

Lillian Diedericks Biography, Age, Politicial Career

Born in Red Location, New Brighton in the Eastern Cape on 17 December 1925, her political journey started in the 1950s through her involvement in the Food and Canning Workers’ Union. She also served as a secretary of the Medical Association.

Her fluency in Xhosa, English and Afrikaans helped her organise and address people across the colour lines that apartheid had created.

She later became involved in activities within the ANC Women’s League and in 1954 she was among the Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) delegates who attended the national Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) conference.

After a protest against the then Mayor of Port Elizabeth Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom in 1956, Diedericks was arrested for treason, along with Frances Baard, Florence Matomela and numerous other women. They were imprisoned at the Fort Prison in Johannesburg and acquitted in 1961.

She was a close friend of struggle stalwart Raymond Mhlaba.

For a long time Diedericks worked underground in Cape Town and during this period, she worked as a domestic worker. Upon her return to Port Elizabeth, the apartheid government banned her for five years from 1963 to 1969.